scourged him

19:1 scourged him. The Roman scourge, customarily used on criminals prior to crucifixion, was a whip with several thongs, each with several pieces of bone or metal attached, and its use inflicted extremely painful stripes. Pilate at first hoped to satisfy the accusers with the scourging of Jesus (Luke 23:22), but they insisted on His execution. In so doing, however, they were merely fulfilling prophecy: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).